Meadows Nature Track

This circuit walk offers an enjoyable way of exploring the diverse environments near Thredbo Village. Starting near the centre of town, you will follow the Merritts Nature Track partway up the hill. Then, following the Meadows Nature Track signs, you cross a series of open ski runs before heading back into the bush. Through this section of forest, you visit a delightful mossy creek with a small weir, then head down another ski run to return the valley terminal.

Covered in snow & closed part of the year

This walk leads through an extreme alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both very hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, snow, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only.
Part of this walk is used as a groomed winter ski run. This walk is closed and should not be attempted when there is a chance of significant snow on the ground.

(0km) Bottom of Kosciuszko Express chairlift → Bottom of bobsled run

230 m

5 mins

6m

-13m

Moderate track

From the entrance to the ticket sales for the Kosciuszko Express chairlift[1], this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign. The walk leads around the car park and past the picnic area to follow another ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[2] along the footpath, leading beside the tennis courts[3]. The footpath continues past the tennis courts[4] and then heads up a ramp[5] and to the other side of the building at the bottom of the bobsled run.

Thredbo Bobsled

With a twisting and turning path more than 700m long, this luge-style track is a great summer activity for the family to enjoy whilst staying in Thredbo. Offering individual rides or day passes, allowing you to enjoy this fun ride as many times as you want as you whizz down the mountain on your cart, controlling your speed with a neat hand-break system. More info.

(0.23km) Bottom of bobsled run → Int of Bobsled service trail and Merritts nature track

110 m

2 mins

1m

-5m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the bobsled building[6], this walk follows the paved footpath along side the bobsled run[7] (to your left) whilst keeping the valley to your right. Soon the footpath leads into the bush[8] and then comes to a three-way intersection marked with a ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[9] (pointing up to the left).

(0.33km) Int of Bobsled service trail and Merritts nature track → Int of Merritts nature track and Bobsled service trail

230 m

6 mins

43m

0m

Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[10] up the steps which bend to the right. The steep steps and track leads up through the bush and pass beside the bobsled run[11], then lead to a clear intersection with a management trail, marked with an arrow post[12].Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow marker gently uphill along the management trail[13], keeping the bobsled run to your left[14]. Just near the top of the bobsled run[15], the trail leads to a three-way intersection marked with a ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[16] (and track on your right).

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[17] up along the track leading through the bush (and away from the bobsled). The track leads up some gentle steps and soon comes to a clear intersection[18] with another management trail, marked with an arrow post[19].Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide management trail down the hill[20] and across the flat timber bridge[21]. The walk then follows the trail up the hill for a short distance, coming to a three-way intersection with a couple of ‘Merritts Nature Track’ signposts[22][23].

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[24] uphill along the narrow track and immediately passes under Merritts Chairlift[25]. The track then leads into the denser forest with tall snow gums[26]. The track leads up near the creek to a signposted intersection marked with both a ‘Birralee Bush Camp’[27] and ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[28] (with a bridge to the left[29]).

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Birralee Bush Camp’ sign[30] across the creek using the footbridge. The bridge bends over the mossy creek[31] then the track bends left to reveal the campsite and picnic area[32]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Birralee Bush camp

Birralee bush camp is a signposted[33] clearing just on the other side of a small creek[34] from Merrits Nature Track (north of Merritts chairlift). Accessed by a bridge[35], this flat clearing has a picnic table[36] and a bench seat[37] and access to the creek[38] (treat water before drinking). This is naturally shaded, making a great place to cool off and rest on hot days.

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[39] up the gentle hill whilst keeping the mossy creek to your left[40]. The track heads up a series of gentle steps, then a last short climb[41] leads to a wide clearing with the Sundowner ski run, opposite a large water tank[42].

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection (with the water tank[43] on your right and safety barriers[44] to your left), this walk follows the blue arrow marker[45] uphill along the track. The track winds gently up through the tall snow gum[46] and mossy forest[47], keeping the creek a short distance through to your left. Just before a metal bridge[48], the track comes to a three-way intersection[49] (with a short track on the right, leading to a weir[50]).

(1.08km) Int of weir track and Merritts nature track → Weir

20 m

2m

0m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the narrower track[51], keeping the creek a short distance to your left. The track leads a short distance to the concrete weir[52][53] (no swimming). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

Thredbo Village Weir

The Thredbo Weir can be found on the Merritts Nature Track, along a creek that flows from the Rams Head Range. The weir is used to supply water to the village below.

Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk crosses the creek using the metal bridge[54]. At the bench seat[55], the track bends left and starts to climb steeply up the steps through the tall stringybark forest[56]. The track winds and passes a couple of switch-backs[57], passing another bench seat[58] partway up. The track continues to climb, then flattens out at yet another bench seat[59] (a good hint to take a rest). Here, the track heads along the now fairly flat track for a short time[60], to come to a well signposted three-way intersection with the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ and the ‘Meadows Nature Track’[61].

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Meadows Nature Track’ sign[62] south along the track, keeping the valley to your left. Soon the walk comes to a clearing (ski run) and another ‘Meadows Nature Track’ sign[63] where this walk turns right and heads up the grassy hill[64]. At the crest, this walk passes another ‘Meadows Nature Track’ sign[65] and comes to an intersection with a gravel management trail (just before the chairlift)[66].

(1.47km) Snowgums midstation int → Creek Crossing

580 m

13 mins

17m

-66m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Meadows Nature Track’ sign[67] (behind the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[68]) across the grass and under Snowgums Chairlift[69]. Heading a bit uphill, this walk soon passes an arrow post[70] then another ‘Meadows Nature Track’ sign[71] beside the trees. Following this sign, the walk crosses another ski run and heads under Kosciuszko Express chairlift[72], passing yet another ‘Meadows Nature Track’ sign[73]. Here the walk starts heading gently downhill, and just after passing a line of trees, the track bends left to head downhill[74]. The walk then follows an arrow post across the ski run and under Ramshead chairlift[75] to find a grassy management trail beside the trees[76] and an intersection marked with a ‘Meadows Nature Track’ sign[77], up to the right (next to a snow making pole[78]).Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Meadows Nature Track’ sign[79] along the narrow track[80] to follow the timber duckboards. The timber duckboards (interestingly, made from recycled signposts[81]) lead though the snow gum forest[82]. The timber soon gives way to dirt track for about 80m, then the walk crosses a timber bridge[83] over a small mossy creek[84] to a bench seat[85], inviting you for a rest.

Creek Crossing

A wooded forest surrounds this gully, providing a shaded, moist environment that encourages the prolific growth of moss on the rocks[86]. The small creek cascades down the many rocks and through the small pools. At this creek crossing, the walk crosses the unnamed creek using a flat timber bridge[87]. One the western side is a bench seat[88], making a pleasant place to enjoy this serene spot. Just south of the crossing is a small stone and concrete weir[89].

(2.05km) Creek Crossing → Upper Riverside link intersection

130 m

3 mins

0m

-20m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the bench seat[90], this walk follows the track away from the bridge, heading downstream[91]. The main track soon bends right at the arrow post[92] (the short track on the left leads to the small weir[93]). The track leads down a few steps[94] and after about 60m, crosses a small timber bridge[95]. The track then leaves the forest to find a three-way intersection[96] with a management trail, where a ‘Meadows Nature Track’ sign[97] points back into the forest.

Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Meadows Nature Track’ sign[98] downhill and across the bridged creek[99], following the grassy management trail. The trail gently undulates around the side of the hill and after crossing a smaller creek[100], the walk stays left, following the main trail uphill[101]. The trail soon leaves the bush and comes to a ‘T’ intersection with a ski run, marked with an arrow post[102].Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the wide grassy ski run towards the houses[103]. The trail leads past a couple of arrow posts[104] as the trail bends left, passing the houses to come to an intersection with a metal footpath (on your right) where the metal railing meets the timber fence[105]. This intersection is marked with a ‘Meadows Nature Track’ sign[106].

(2.8km) Top of Village trail footpath → Bottom of Kosciuszko Express chairlift

260 m

5 mins

3m

-25m

Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the metal footpath, keeping the timber fence (and ski run) to your left[107]. The path leads down a series of steps and past a platform with a seat[108], soon coming to a paved path[109] at the end of the timber fence. This walk follows the path down in front of some buildings[110] to find some large maps[111] and the entrance to the chairlift station[112].

Maps for the Meadows Nature Track walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Cross sectional view of the Meadows Nature Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Meadows Nature Track

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length

3.1 km

Time

1 hr 30 mins

.

Grade 4/6

Hard track

AS 2156.1

Gradient

Very steep (4/6)

Quality of track

Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)

Signs

Directional signs along the way (3/6)

Experience Required

Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)

Weather

Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Infrastructure

Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

2.2km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 410m is very steep. Whilst another 330m is flat with no steps and the remaining 150m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

2.2km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 540m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (330m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 2km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.1km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 2.4km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 670m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 2.6km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 490m is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 2.9km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 150m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Meadows Nature Track walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-kosciunp-mntc
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.